A heated discussion is ongoing regarding the finest driving routes in America.

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      What is your threshold for enjoying a spirited drive on an open road? What boundaries—both metaphorical and literal—are you unwilling to cross? Every car enthusiast contemplates these questions during a high-speed outing, whether they consciously think about them or not. There isn’t a universal standard for canyon driving, allowing each individual to find their own equilibrium between aggression and safety. Unfortunately, this often leads to expensive or, even worse, fatal errors.

      This is precisely the subject of the newest video on The Drive’s YouTube channel. Some drivers think of roads like Angeles Crest, Tail of the Dragon, or their local favorite strip as their personal playground, having proven their ability to navigate it quickly and safely in the past. However, just because you’ve never had an incident doesn’t guarantee that you won’t in the future. This is known as survivorship bias, and it highlights the flaw in the notion that the open road is solely for those who consider themselves the most capable of handling it.

      At the beginning of the video, The Drive's Editor-in-Chief, Kyle Cheromcha, revisits the situation between Evan Sawyer, a self-described canyon driver, and Cort Wagner, a pro-am racing driver. Sawyer shared a video of himself in a hairpin turn, directing an obscene gesture at drivers who apexed and crossed the double yellow lines, drawing reciprocal responses. One of these drivers was Wagner, who, to put it mildly, embodies a mindset different from that of Sawyer.

      The Drive's Editor-in-Chief Kyle Cheromcha observes sports cars on Angeles Crest. The Drive via YouTube.

      This argument has circulated in recent months, but it’s certainly more expansive than just these two individuals. In this video, we chat with several enthusiasts in the canyons regarding their driving limits—what they will and won’t do, and their reasoning. The reality is that there is far more standard traffic than there are aspiring (or legitimate) racers, and even on secluded highways like Angeles Crest, you can never be absolutely certain that unsuspecting traffic isn't just around the corner, out of sight. The only location where you can drive without such worries is, naturally, a racetrack.

      Even if we were to disregard the potential risk to other drivers (which we can’t, but let’s explore this for a moment), the casual belief in the freedom to die doing what you love doesn’t add much value when the end comes. Late last year, Vince Zampella, the creator of Call of Duty, and his passenger Zachary Marks lost their lives when the Ferrari 296 GTS he was driving collided with the sharp edge of a concrete barrier on Angeles Crest as they exited a tunnel. Zampella was an experienced driver but still made a mistake that anyone could make.

      The Drive via YouTube

      My favorite segment of this video features some of the enthusiasts sharing their personal driving guidelines. Honestly, it’s all sensible advice to follow. “I never push the vehicle to its limit,” one individual mentioned. “I drive at around 70% of my own limit because I know I’ll remain below what the car can do, and I always account for gravel, unforeseen obstacles, and curves, so I’m never really at the car’s edge.”

      “Driving at full throttle up here leaves no margin for error,” cautioned another driver. The most compelling insight came from someone who stated, “If I get to enjoy another day and return here, that’s a victory.”

      What are your thoughts on safe yet spirited driving? Watch the video and share your views in the comments below or on YouTube.